Coal cutting machine and the like



Nov. 13, 1934. M. s. MOORE 1,980,629

COAL CUTTING MACHINE AND THE LIKE Filed OCT.. l2, 1953 FLg. 4.

-7/7 f6 j 7 9 /01/ f2 4 51554 5/ 42 26 50 l Patented Nov. 13, 1934 UNITED 'sTA'rEs COAL CUTTING MACHINE AND THE LIKE Matthew Smith Moore, Malvern, England, as-

signor of one-half to The Mining Engineering Company Limited, Worcester, England, a

British company Application October 12, 1933,- Serial No. 693,348

In Great Britain October 22, 1932 14I Claims. (Cl. 262-30) This invention relates to coal-cutting, loading and like mining machines and has particular reference to cutting machines of the chain type, wherein cutter picks or bits are carried by an endless member into and out of the coal or .other mineral in which a cut is to be made.

Considerable trouble is experienced with machines of this type owing to the fact that the cuttings or holings driven out of the undercut or kerf by the chain and cutters are carried thereby through the machine and around .the sprocket wheel driving the chain, where they accumulate. Unless the cuttings are promptly cleared away, many of them are caught by the cutters and impelled back into the kerf by the returning side of the cutter chain. Toavoid this, it is usually necessary to shovel the cuttings clear of the machine, which work is-very arduous and not devoid of danger.

An object of my invention is to provide means for clearing the cuttings or holings mechanically in order to prevent their being returned into the kerf. Further objects of my invention are 'to provide a convenient and compact'construction for housing the clearing means and for actuating same from the motor shaft, and moreparticularly to provide a construction of this `sort which will be adapted to strengthen the build of the machine and can be used with advantage in machines ior combined cutting and loading.

In accordance with my invention I arrange a conveyor means close to the chain or other endless member, so as to engage the cuttings and expel them as they are raked in by said member.

. In a chain machine, the conveyor means conveniently consists of a worm arranged adjacent the return side of the chain, in proximity to the usual sprocket wheel. Instead of leaving the return side of the chain exposed, as is usually the case, I provide at that side a channel which may be similar to the channel surrounding the incoming side of the chain or of any other suitable shape.

In a preferred construction, thechannel for accommodating the conveyor worm is provided in a gear case arranged transversely of the machine, on the side of the gear head remote from the main casing, thus forming an end wall for the gear head and strengthening the base plate. In the upper portion of said transverse case are housed the gears for driving the conveyor worm.

In order that the worm may operate with the cutter chain on either side of the machine, I preferably provide the case with two channels and so arrange the wormthat it can be withdrawn and reversed. The driving gears then are arranged symmetrically in the upper portion of the transverse case and adapted to convey the drive to the worm from either of two shafts supported in the ends vof the transverse case.

The arrangement described is of particular advantage in machines adapted both for cutting and loading, as for example the machine described and claimed in myLetters Patent No.

1,930,016 dated october 10, 1933. In such a matransverse gear case herein described further provides a convenient means for locking said device in either of its operative positions. The outward side of said case, i. e. the side remote from the conveyor worm, then is provided with guide-ways adapted to receive a cross-bar shaped exactly to .o

fill the gap between the gear case and the straight side of the loader device, thus locking the latter to the main frame of the machine.

An embodiment of my invention incorporating the above features will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical plan view, partly in section on line I-I ofl Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation on line II-II 90 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line III-III of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows a detail in plan view. In the drawing 1 is the main casing of the machine, which is bolted or otherwise secured on '95 the base plateA or skid 2. 3 is the gear head in which is mounted the vertical shaft 4 carrying the sprocket wheel 5 for the cutter chain 6. Wheel 5 is driven from the motor 7 through gears 8, 9, 10 l1, worm 12 and worm wheel 13. l

Adjacent the return side of the chain 6, near the sprocket wheel is a worm 1 1 pointing away from the chain. Said worm extends in a channel 15 formed in the lower portion of a narrow case 105 16 extending transversely of the machine and secured at top and bottom to the gear head 3 and base plate 2 respectively. As shown in Fig..3, the shaft 17 carrying worm 14 is journalled in the middle portion 18 -ofthe case 16 and is driven 110 D 'Se i: loading device.'

from a side shaft 19 through gears 20, 21, 22, 23, worm 24 and worm wheel 25. Side shaft 19 is adapted to be rotated from the motor through gears 10, 26 (Fig. 2), worm shaft 47y and worm wheel 48 (Fig. 1).

In the machine illustrated, a channel similar to channel 15 is symmetrically provided on the other side of part 13, so that the position of the worm 14 can be reversed and the worm accommodated in channel 15 or in channel 15 according to the position of the chainjib 27 relatively to the machine.

Beyond the gear case 16jis pivotally mounted on the base plate 2, a loading device comprising an endless conveyor 28 extending between two loader bars 29, only one of which is shown in Fig. 1. In the position illustrated inthe drawing the main shaft 30 of the loading device is rotated through a coupling 3l from a shaft 32 symmetrical to shaft 19 and driven therefrom through spurwheels 20, 21, 22, 33 and 34. When the loader device is swung through 180 about its pivot-35 in order to operate on the other side of the machine, shaft 30 will be in alignment with shaft 19 and can be coupled directly therewith.

- It is seen that in addition to providing a desirable rigid connection between the-gear head 3 and the base plate, the transverse case 16 affords a convenient support'for the driving means for the The three centre wheels 21, 22, 33 preferably rotate on stationary spindles so that on said spindles being withdrawn and the cover 46 removed, the gear wheels can-easily be lifted through an opening in the top of the case.

I thereto, or also in an inoperative position at 90 thereto, the-loader then being-'in alignment with the machine frame.` To this end there is inserted between the wall 16 and the Vadjacent wall 42 ofthe loading device a bar 37 yadaptedv to lillv exactly the gap between the two'walls. example shown the bar is-provided on opposite In the sides with guiding surfaces 38, 39 adapted to engage between corresponding guides 40,741 on the walls 36 and 42 respectively, the bar being inserted or withdrawn by endwise sliding motion.

" Locking pins 43 secure the bar 37 in position on the base plate. Y

When the cutter chain is in operation, the cuttings which are brought back into the machine by the incoming side of the chain through the channel 44, are flung behind the sprocket wheel,l the peripheral velocity of the pick ends increasing as the chain swings around said wheel. Any cuttings still engaged by the return side of the chain .t will be stopped and deected towards the worm 14 by the wall of the central casing portion 18 which thus acts as a deiiecting baille or partition. No accumulation of the cuttings can take place, however, as they are caught by the conveyor worm 14 and carried away through channel- 15 on the side of the machine remote from the cutter chain.

While the machine is cutting the loader device is trailing behind the machine and locked in position by the bar 37 as explained above. During the loading operation the loader extends alongside the cutter, whereas if the cutter is used for siunping into the coal, the loader will be on the opposite sideV therefrom. i When' it is necessary toswing the loader device into a new position, the bar 37 is slid out of engagement with the case 16, or it may only be pushed to one side without being completely withdrawn from its guides, if it is so shaped as to give free passage to the corner of the loader frame. Pulleys 45 are conveniently mounted on the ends of the bar 37 so that when the bar is pushed to one side, the exposed pulley is available for guiding the haulage rope if it is desired to attach the rope to the loader in order to move same abou its pivot 35. Y

I claim:

l. In a mining machine, the combination of a casing, an endless chain mounted for movement into and out of said casing, cutter picks on said chain, a sprocket wheel in said casing for driving said chain, means comprising a partition arranged in proximity to said sprocket wheel for engaging and deflecting cuttings carried by said chain, and a conveyor worm supported in said partition adjacent said sprocket wheel and pointing away therefrom. f

2. In a mining machine, the combination of a casing, a gear head insaid casing, a sprocket wheel under said gear head, a.. cutter jib projecting outwardly from said casing, a-cutter chain driven by said wheel and supported by said jib, a `gear case secured to said gear head, said gear' case having a narrow central lower part forming a baille extending close to said cutter chain, and a conveyor worm in the lower part of said gear case, said worm being arranged adjacent said chain and pointing away therefrom.

3. In a mining machine, the combination of a. base plate,.a main casing on. said base plate, an overhung gear head connected on one side to said main casing, endless cutter means mounted under saidgear head, said cutter means projecting outwardly from said casing at right angles to the longitudinal axis thereof, a gear case extending transversely of said base plate, said case forming a rigid connection between said .gear yhead and said base plate on the side remote from said main casing, and a baie on said case extending close to saidcutter means on the return side thereof.

4. In a mining machine, the combination of a base plate, a main casing on said base plate, gear head connected on one side to said main casing, a ysprocket wheel under said gear head, a cutter chain driven by said wheel, a gear case extending transversely of said base platejsaid gear case being rigidly connected with said gear head and with said base plate on the side remote from said main casing, the lower portion of said case formingV a channel open towards said sprocket wheel, and a conveying worm in said channel. 1

5. In a mining machine accordingr toclaim 4, the provision `of two channels in the lower portion of said gear case, said channels being symmetrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis o f the machine, said worm being adapted to be reversed. i

6. In a mining machine according lto claim 4, the provision in said gear case of gears for driving said worm, and means in said main casing for driving said gears.

7. In a mining machine according to claim 4, the provision of two side shafts in said gear case, gears on said shafts, spur wheels intermediate said side shafts, said worm being actuated from one of said spur wheels, spindles for said spur wheels, said spur wheels being loosely mounted on their spindles and adapted to be withdrawn through an opening in the top of said gear case.

8. In a mining machine according to claim 4,

the provision of a loading device, a motor in said main casing, and means in said gear case for conveying the drive of said motor to said loader device.

9. In a mining machine, the combination of a main casing, a motor in said casing, a gear head at one end of said casing, a gear case on the side of said gear head remote from said casing, a loader device and means in said gear case for transmitting the drive of said motor to said loader device.

10. In a mining machine, the combination of a base plate, a main casing on said base plate, a motor in said casing, a gear head at one end of said casing, a gear case extending transversely of said base plate, on the side of said gear head remote from said main casing, said gear case being rigidly connected with said gear head and with said base plate, a loader device pivotally mounted on said base plate, and means adapted to be inserted-between said gear case and said loader device for locking said loader device in position.

11. In a mining machine according to claim 10, the provision of guideways for said locking means on the side of said gear case.

12. A mining machine according to claim 10, said locking means comprising a bar adapted to be inserted by endwise motion between parallel surfaces on said gear case and said loader device respectively.

13. A mining machine according to claim 10, said locking means comprising a bar, means being provided on said gear case for holding said bar in partly inserted position, and pulleys on said bar for haulage purposes.

14. In a mining machine according to claim 10, the provision of a cutter member, under said gear head, means in the lower portion of said gear case for clearing away cuttings raked in by said cutter member, and gears in the upper portion of said gear case for conveying the drive from said motor to said loader device.

MATTHEW SMITH MOORE. 

